German Village/Brewery District

Tuesday

Jun 15, 2010 at 12:01 AMJun 17, 2010 at 1:38 AM

Downtown's neighborhood to the south is steeped in history - German immigrants settled the village, and brewers from those families established the adjacent area, now called the Brewery District - but these chummy, charming neighborhoods have plenty of "new" going on, too.

Downtown's neighborhood to the south is steeped in history - German immigrants settled the village, and brewers from those families established the adjacent area, now called the Brewery District - but these chummy, charming neighborhoods have plenty of "new" going on, too.

Eat up:

Pistacia Vera

541 S. Third St., German Village

614-220-9070

pistaciavera.com

Start your neighborhood tour off at this delicious bakery famous for its macarons. First, spend a while marveling over the pretty treats stacked beneath the glass countertop. Once seated, you'll have a direct view to South Third Street, German Village's main drag, through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Enjoy your dessert with an Americano, ice-cold coffee or loose-leaf tea.

Go shop:

Helen Winnemore Craft

150 E. Kossuth St., German Village

614-444-5850

helenwinnemores.com

What the village lacks in shopping options, this store makes up for in charm. You'll find artisan, American-made treats and gifts for the home. Don't overlook the jewelry selection, which is hidden in vanity-style drawers on one wall. Helen Winnemore is just down the street from Schmidt's, German Village's flagship spot for brats and sauerkraut.

Have fun:

Scioto Audubon Metro Park

505 W. Whittier St., Brewery District

614-545-5475

grangeinsuranceauduboncenter.org

That's right. There's wildlife-loving green space Downtown, and it's part of the Brewery District. The recently unveiled metro park attracts plenty of birds, fish and wetland creatures - and people. There are fishing decks and a boat launch, an outdoor climbing wall and tons of conservation events going on inside the Grange Insurance Audubon Center.